The band began to record in Brussels in the last few months of 2012 of what would soon be their debut album. During their career, they have released five singles which have received critical acclaim. They released their debut album Where the Heaven Are We on August 5, 2013. It was originally meant to be on 29 July, but it was moved to a later date for unknown reasons.
Their music has been described as "Beach grunge". the band often get mentioned in the same sentence as fellow Birmingham bands Peace and Troumaca who also make slacker beach rock.
Swim Deep formed in 2010 with Austin Williams, Tom 'Higgy' Higgins and Wolfgang J Harte. The band went through multiple drummers until they eventually recruited Austin's best friend Zachary Robinson on drums who, at the time, was playing in a band called Cajole Cajole. On the subject, Austin said, “We thought it was a long shot but we’d just lost another drummer so we asked Zach if he wanted to join our band and he said yeah. That was one of the best things that happened, to be honest.” After a few months, Harte announced that he was leaving the band and the band played as a three piece until they recruited Cavan McCarthy, the merchandise seller from fellow Birmingham band, Peace. The band put some demos up on Soundcloud, "Isla Vista" and "Santa Maria", in 2011.
In 2012, Swim Deep signed with Chess Club and released their debut single, "King City", in May 2012. After a UK tour with Spector in November/December 2012, the band went to Brussels to record their debut album with producer Charlie Hugall. They released their second single, "Honey", in November which got them well critical acclaim and is usually associated with the band. NME magazine said that "the best bits of the Birmingham mob’s latest cut have the pull of a star-spangled whirlpool that’ll suck you back into the late ’80s."
2010-2012: Formation and record deal
They have played shows with Splashh, Spector, Citizens! and the Mystery Jets. The band also accompanied Two Door Cinema Club on their February 2013 UK tour, alongside Bastille. In February 2013, a video was released for their next single "The Sea". The single was released the month after on 7" vinyl and download, backed with a cover of "Down by the Seaside". In May 2013 they released their fourth single "She Changes the Weather", along with an EP of the same name.
2013-2014: Where the Heaven Are We
In early May, Swim Deep put the pre-order links up on their official store. Where the Heaven Are We is due to be released in August, 2013, on 12" vinyl, CD and digital download. Limited edition signed vinyl are also to be released featuring a 7" of two early demos. A Japan only EP was released in May titled Sun on My Back made up of early demos, B-sides and "King City". In June, the band released a new video for the re-release of "King City". The single is due for release in July. In July 2013 it was revealed that the deluxe edition of Where the Heaven Are We would feature a bonus track "Crush".
2014-2017: Mothers
Following tours throughout 2013 to support their debut album, the band began recording their second album in London in September 2014. In December, they returned to Brussels to continue their progress. They finished recording in January 2015. They released "To My Brother", the first single from the second record, in February. "To My Brother" was noted by critics for its marked change in direction, with many picking up on the unexpected influence of acid house music. Speaking to DIY Magazine, Austin addressed the band's dramatic new direction: "I feel like we’re all shaving our heads and going to war with this record." The second single from the album, "One Great Song and I Could Change the World", was released in April 2015.
In June 2015, the band announced Mothers, their sophomore album, would be released 19 September. The album release was later delayed until 2 October. Mothers, heavily influenced by acid house and techno, received positive reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 79. NME's Rhian Daly described "Namaste" as "a great big bolt of pop that’s impossible to ignore".DIY Magazine's Stephen Ackroyd said that "Fueiho Boogie" "explodes time and time again into increasingly more ridiculous krautrock techno extravaganzas." In December 2015, Swim Deep toured North America with The 1975.
2018-: Untitled third album
Swim Deep confirmed they were recording their third album in July 2018. The band confirmed the departures of long-serving members Zachary Robinson and Tom Higgins in a statement. Captioning a photograph of a new-look Swim Deep on the beach, they said: “We’re off to a studio by the sea to finally finish the album we’ve been dreaming of our whole lives and we’re so ready to share it with you.”
Members:
Austin "Ozzy" Williams - vocals, guitar, keys, percussion (2010–present)
Cavan "Cav" McCarthy - bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
James Balmont - keys, percussion, guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
Robbie Wood - guitar, backing vocals (2017-present)
Past members:
James "Wolfgang" Harte - bass guitar, backing vocals (2010-2012)
Johnny Aries - live keys and live percussion (2013)
Tom "Higgy Pop" Higgins - guitar, backing vocals (2010–2018)
Zachary "Zach" Robinson - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2011–2018)
Red Lips I Know
Swim Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I know I know)
You think am I bright or am I dumb
(I know I know)
You see five letters in my eyes saying guess (what if I get it wrong?)
One thing on my mind is happiness (ain't so wrong)
It's a hot winter and my mind's somewhere else
Pull the wool over my eyes (I know, I know)
Just because my lips are stained with wine (what are you doing on your own?)
Doesn't mean my smile is on time (stop waiting)
It's a hot winter and my mind's somewhere else
Hot winter ey, hot winter ey
In Swim Deep’s song “Red Lips I Know,” many interpretations can be made, but it mainly deals with someone who is unhappy and trying to mask their feelings with alcoholic drinks like wine. The opening line asks why the singer looks glum, to which they admit their sadness regarding their happiness. They most likely feel pressure to appear happy despite their inner feelings. The next line asks the question of whether the singer is intelligent or not, which could mean that they are feeling stupid for pretending to be happy. The line “you see five letters in my eyes saying guess” refers to the word “smile” being spelled out in the singer's eyes, and “what if i get it wrong?” suggests that the person asking the question doesn't want to make a mistake and upset them further. The singer is focused on their happiness, suggesting that it's something they are struggling to find or attain.
The chorus is particularly interesting; "It's a hot winter and my mind's somewhere else" gives the impression that the singer’s inner turmoil is overshadowing their surroundings, which are bright and sunny. The phrase "pull the wool over my eyes" refers to how the singer tries to fool people into believing that they are happy, and “just because my lips are stained with wine doesn't mean my smile is on time” indicates that drinking wine doesn't equate to the person being happy; their sadness persists beneath their wine-stained lips. The line “stop waiting” shows that there is pressure put on the singer - to be happy; to have a good time - and they want others to stop waiting for their spirits to rise.
Line by Line Meaning
You stop and ask why I look glum
You inquire about my sad appearance
(I know I know)
I am aware of your question
You think am I bright or am I dumb
You wonder if I am intelligent or foolish
(I know I know)
I understand your query
You see five letters in my eyes saying guess (what if I get it wrong?)
You notice five letters in my eyes and suggest guessing, but I worry about the possibility of being incorrect
One thing on my mind is happiness (ain't so wrong)
My main focus is on seeking joy, which I don't think is unreasonable
It's a hot winter and my mind's somewhere else
Despite it being winter, my head is preoccupied and elsewhere
Hot winter ey, hot winter ey
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
Pull the wool over my eyes (I know, I know)
You try to deceive me, but I see through the trickery (and understand what's happening)
Just because my lips are stained with wine (what are you doing on your own?)
Simply because my mouth has evidence of drinking alcohol, you ask why I'm alone
Doesn't mean my smile is on time (stop waiting)
However, my grin might not match the situation (so you should stop anticipating a certain reaction)
It's a hot winter and my mind's somewhere else
Reiterating that even though it's winter, my thoughts are elsewhere
Hot winter ey, hot winter ey
Echoing the previous line
Lyrics © ST MUSIC LLC
Written by: AUSTIN WILLIAMS, ZACK ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind